Banh Xeo is a Vietnamese savory pancake that is crispy on the outside and filled with a variety of ingredients such as pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, and herbs. It is typically served with a side of fresh lettuce and herbs, as well as a dipping sauce.
Here’s a recipe for Banh Xeo that you can try at home:
Ingredients:
For the batter:
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup water
For the filling:
- 1/2 pound pork belly, sliced thin
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups bean sprouts
- 1/2 onion, sliced thin
- 1/4 cup scallions, chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Vegetable oil
For the dipping sauce:
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 Thai chili, sliced thin
For serving:
- Lettuce leaves
- Cilantro leaves
- Mint leaves
- Thai basil leaves
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the rice flour, cornstarch, turmeric powder, and salt. Gradually stir in the coconut milk and water, whisking until a smooth batter forms. Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes.
- In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced pork belly and cook until crispy and browned on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and cook until softened. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper, then add the bean sprouts and scallions. Cook until the bean sprouts are wilted, then remove from the heat and stir in the chopped cilantro.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Brush the skillet with vegetable oil, then ladle in a scoop of the batter, swirling the skillet to coat the bottom evenly. Add a spoonful of the filling to one half of the pancake, then fold the other half over to cover the filling. Cook until the bottom is golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook the other side until crispy.
- To make the dipping sauce, whisk together the fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, and sliced Thai chili.
- To serve, cut the Banh Xeo into wedges and wrap each wedge in a lettuce leaf, along with some fresh herbs. Dip in the sauce and enjoy!
Banh Xeo is a delicious and fun dish to make, and is sure to be a hit with your friends and family.
